Download Worksheet

Using NewsHour Extra Feature Stories
STORY
Transit of Venus Offers Last-in-Lifetime Sight
06/05/2012
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/science/jan-june12/venus_06-05.html
Estimated Time: One 45-minute class period with possible extension
Student Worksheet (reading comprehension and discussion questions without answers)
PROCEDURE
1. WARM UP
Use initiating questions to introduce the topic and find out how much your students know.
2. MAIN ACTIVITY
Have students read NewsHour Extra's feature story and answer the reading comprehension and discussion questions on
the student handout.
3. DISCUSSION
Use discussion questions to encourage students to think about how the issues outlined in the story affect their lives and
express and debate different opinions.]
INITIATING QUESTIONS
1. Which planets are closer to the sun than the Earth?
2. What can we learn from studying planets?
3. Why should you not look directly at the sun?
READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS – Student Worksheet
1. What is the transit of Venus?
This week North Americans will have the opportunity to see one of Earth’s closest neighbors float cross the
sun, which won’t happen again for 105 years. The last-in-a-lifetime astronomical event will be visible to those
who wish to look. Just don't do it with your naked eye!
2. How often does Venus pass between the Earth and the sun?
Venus, the second planet from the sun, passes between the Earth and sun about every 584 days, but most
are not visible. For a transit of Venus to occur – that is, for Venus to pass directly between the Earth and the
Sun – a few things need to happen.
3. What is a node?
Venus and Earth revolve around the sun on different planes. Venus’ orbital plane is inclined to Earth’s by 3.4
degrees. For half of Venus’ orbit, Venus travels North of Earth’s plane before swinging south of Earth’s plane
for the other half. As a result, Venus crosses Earth’s orbital plane at two points called nodes. Should Venus
pass between the sun and the Earth during one of its two nodes, there will be a “transit” visible to us
Earthlings.
4. When was the last transit of Venus?
June 5th’s transit is paired with one from June 2004. The pair before that occurred in December 1874 and
December 1882, respectively.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/
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5. When was the first transit of Venus recorded?
December of 1639
6. Who was Edmund Halley?
In the eighteenth century, Edmund Halley (of the comet’s namesake) was the first to realize the transits of
Venus could be used in this same triangular way to measure Earth’s distance from the sun, providing the
value of one Astronomical Unit or AU.
7. Will you be able to see the transit if you live in South America?
Observers in Asia and parts of the Pacific will be able to see all of the 7 hour-long transit. North Americans
will be able to see the transit begin as the sun sets on June 5th. Observers in Europe will get a chance to see
the end of the transit as the sun rises on June 6th. Sadly, people in South America and West Africa will not
get their chance to watch, as it will be night when the transit occurs.
8. What is the best way to see the transit?
Any safe telescope setup uses solar filters on the sky end of the telescope. Sunglasses, Polaroid filters,
smoked glass, x-ray film, or photographic neutral density filters are NOT enough to protect your eyes from
harmful glare.
If you don’t have your own telescope, try joining up with a local viewing at an astronomy club, park, or nature
center. Try this homemade indirect viewing method. Catch the transit of Venus on an online viewing.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (more research might be needed)
1. Are you able to see the stars at night? What are some stars or constellations that you look for?
2. Do you think people are more or less interested in the planets than they were 100 years ago? Why?
3. Why is it important that humans understand how the solar system works?
4. Do you think you will be alive in 105 years? Why or why not?
Extension Activity
Have students write a 300-500 word essay on this topic providing clear examples. Send your completed
editorial to NewsHour Extra ([email protected]). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/
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STUDENT WORKSHEET
Transit of Venus Offers Last-in-Lifetime Sight
READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1.
What is the transit of Venus?
2.
How often does Venus pass between the Earth and the sun?
3.
What is a node?
4.
When was the last transit of Venus?
5.
When was the first transit of Venus recorded?
6.
Who was Edmund Halley?
7.
Will you be able to see the transit if you live in South America?
8.
What is the best way to see the transit?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (more research might be needed)
1. Are you able to see the stars at night? What are some stars or constellations that you look for?
2. Do you think people are more or less interested in the planets than they were 100 years ago? Why?
3. Why is it important that humans understand how the solar system works?
4. Do you think you will be alive in 105 years? Why or why not?
Extension Activity
Have students write a 300-500 word essay on this topic providing clear examples. Send your completed
editorial to NewsHour Extra ([email protected]). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/science/jan-june12/venus_06-05.html
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